I've seen the video of the original show with Michael Flatley and I have to confess that I saw the original incarnation as an interlude on TVs 'Eurovision Song Contest', but please don't tell anyone in the UK as it is really not the done thing to watch the ESC.<P>The original TV version was Flatley's idea and was stunning as it was the first time that massed ranks of Irish dancers had been seen dancing together. The stage show varies the ensemble and solo and small group Irish dance with folk dance from Russia and Spain. However, on the video this other dance seemed diluted from the material we are used to seeing from ethnic companies. <P>The reason being that it has been choreographed so that Flatley can join in after an initial 'pure' sequence. And therein lay the biggest problem. He is clearly a talented egomaniac and his idea of continuity is that he should be the centre of focus throughout the evening. Eventually he parted company from Riverdance over a dispute, to launch 'Lord of the Dance', an opportunity for an even bigger ego trip. It ought to be pointed out that it was enormously successful, leaving Flatley worth about $50m - not bad for a hoofer. <P>I would guess that Riverdance is better without Flatley dominating all the proceedings and if you like folk dance in general or Irish dance in particular, then go and see it. <P>I'm sure my critical view will come very hard to Mr Flatley, but I hope that it doesn't spoil the enjoyment of his $50m too much.

I saw this in London, and loved it. I was awe struck at how they got the corps to be as together as they were. Not just dealing with arms and legs, but sound as well. I must admit that I thought the second act of the show was not as strong as the first.

It was without. I am not sure if that was better or not. I would have liked to see him strut his stuff. His ego reminds me of Joaquine Cortez. Now without Mr. Cortez that show would have suffered. He was the show.

Cygnet, ha ha. Perhaps we can get aisle seats (can you tell I have been flying a lot lately) and slip in and out.<P>I'd be interested in going but only if the group can also do something else fun...<P>Is Flatley still performing at all? The last time he came to SF (with one of his other shows), the review read "Flatley fights the Battle of Bulge" or something like that.

FYI<BR>To the best of my knowledge:<BR>Michael Flatley lives -part time- in Las Vegas, where he is the artistic director of the show at the New York New York Hotel/Casino.<BR>He also holds the Guiness record for highest paid dance artist in history. <BR>To my understanding, he doesn't perform any longer.

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